Mackay a 'standout' in building approvals

Queensland has seen a state-wide increase in the number of building approvals in May.

Paul Bidwell from Master Builders Queensland says approvals were up just over 12 per cent across the state.

He says areas with good exposure to the mining boom have performed the best, with Mackay up more than a 106 per cent.

"The building boost finished at the end of April so what we believe has happened, it's a combination of the building boost which ran from towards the end of last year right through to April plus the interest rate cut that we've had tied up with population growth still quite positive and unemployment down to 5.3 per cent," he said.

"Those areas tied to the resources sector have faired the best and Mackay is the standout, it's the pick of all of the regions, almost a 106 per cent increase during the month of May.

"Now we know that one swallow doesn't make a summer, so we can't read too much into one month's figures but it is clear that in Mackay there is a lot of activity underway."